Anti-microRNA oligonucleotide molecules

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to isolated anti-microRNA molecules. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an isolated microRNA molecule. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method for inhibiting microRNP activity in a cell.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/345,893 filed on Jan. 9, 2012, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 13/045,685 filed on Mar. 11, 2011, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/794,085 filed on Jun. 4, 2010, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/589,449 filed on Aug. 11, 2006, issued on Aug. 10, 2010 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,772,389, which is a U.S. National Phase Application of International Application No. PCT/US05/04714 filed on Feb. 11, 2005 and asserts priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/845,057 filed on May 13, 2004, which is a continuing application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/778,908 filed on Feb. 13, 2004; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

This invention was made with government support under grant number 1 R01 GM068476-01 awarded by NIH/NIGMS. The government has certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

RNA silencing is a fundamental mechanism of gene regulation that uses double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) derived 21- to 28-nucleotide (nt) small RNAs to guide mRNA degradation, control mRNA translation or chromatin modification. Recently, several hundred novel genes were identified in plants and animals that encode transcripts that contain short dsRNA hairpins.

Defined 22-nt RNAs, referred to as microRNAs (miRNAs), are reported to be excised by dsRNA specific endonucleases from the hairpin precursors. The miRNAs are incorporated into ribonucleoprotein particles (miRNPs).

Plant miRNAs target mRNAs containing sequence segments with high complementarity for degradation or suppress translation of partially complementary mRNAs. Animal miRNAs appear to act predominantly as translational repressors. However, animal miRNAs have also been reported to guide RNA degradation. This indicates that animal miRNPs act like small interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced silencing complexes (RISCs).

Understanding the biological function of miRNAs requires knowledge of their mRNA targets. Bioinformatic approaches have been used to predict mRNA targets, among which transcription factors and proapoptotic genes were prominent candidates. Processes such as Notch signaling, cell proliferation, morphogenesis and axon guidance appear to be controlled by miRNA genes.

Therefore, there is a need for materials and methods that can help elucidate the function of known and future microRNAs. Due to the ability of microRNAs to induce RNA degradation or repress translation of mRNA which encode important proteins, there is also a need for novel compositions for inhibiting microRNA-induced cleavage or repression of mRNAs.

SUMMARY THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention provides an isolated single stranded anti-microRNA molecule comprising a minimum of ten moieties and a maximum of fifty moieties on a molecular backbone, the molecular backbone comprising backbone units, each moiety comprising a base bonded to a backbone unit, each base forming a Watson-Crick base pair with a complementary base wherein at least ten contiguous bases have the same sequence as a sequence of bases in any one of the anti-microRNA molecules shown in Tables 1-4, except that up to thirty percent of the bases pairs may be wobble base pairs, and up to 10% of the contiguous bases may be additions, deletions, mismatches, or combinations thereof; no more than fifty percent of the contiguous moieties contain deoxyribonucleotide backbone units; the moiety in the molecule at the position corresponding to position 11 of the microRNA is non-complementary; and the molecule is capable of inhibiting microRNP activity.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for inhibiting microRNP activity in a cell, the microRNP comprising a microRNA molecule, the microRNA molecule comprising a sequences of bases complementary of the sequence of bases in a single stranded anti-microRNA molecule, the method comprising introducing into the cell the single-stranded anti-microRNA molecule comprising a sequence of a minimum of ten moieties and a maximum of fifty moieties on a molecular backbone, the molecular backbone comprising backbone units, each moiety comprising a base bonded to a backbone unit, each base forming a Watson-Crick base pair with a complementary base, wherein at least ten contiguous bases of the anti-microRNA molecule are complementary to the microRNA, except that up to thirty percent of the bases may be substituted by wobble base pairs, and up to ten percent of the at least ten moieties may be additions, deletions, mismatches, or combinations thereof; no more than fifty percent of the contiguous moieties contain deoxyribonucleotide backbone units; and the moiety in the molecule at the position corresponding to position 11 of the microRNA is non-complementary.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an isolated microRNA molecule comprising a minimum of ten moieties and a maximum of fifty moieties on a molecular backbone, the molecular backbone comprising backbone units, each moiety comprising a base bonded to a backbone unit, wherein at least ten contiguous bases have the same sequence as a sequence of bases in any one of the microRNA molecules shown in Table 2, except that up to thirty percent of the bases pairs may be wobble base pairs, and up to 10% of the contiguous bases may be additions, deletions, mismatches, or combinations thereof; and no more than fifty percent of the contiguous moieties contain deoxyribonucleotide backbone units.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an isolated microRNA molecule comprising a minimum of ten moieties and a maximum of fifty moieties on a molecular backbone, the molecular backbone comprising backbone units, each moiety comprising a base bonded to a backbone unit, wherein at least ten contiguous bases have any one of the microRNA sequences shown in Tables 1, 3 and 4, except that up to thirty percent of the bases pairs may be wobble base pairs, and up to 10% of the contiguous bases may be additions, deletions, mismatches, or combinations thereof; no more than fifty percent of the contiguous moieties contain deoxyribonucleotide backbone units; and is modified for increased nuclease resistance.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an isolated single stranded anti-microRNA molecule comprising a minimum of ten moieties and a maximum of fifty moieties on a molecular backbone, the molecular backbone comprising backbone units, each moiety comprising a base bonded to a backbone unit, each base forming a Watson-Crick base pair with a complementary base wherein at least ten contiguous bases have the same sequence as a sequence of bases in any one of the anti-microRNA molecules shown in Tables 1-4, except that up to thirty percent of the bases pairs may be wobble base pairs, and up to 10% of the contiguous bases may be additions, deletions, mismatches, or combinations thereof; no more than fifty percent of the contiguous moieties contain deoxyribonucleotide backbone units; and the molecule is capable of inhibiting microRNP activity.

In yet a further embodiment, the invention provides a method for inhibiting microRNP activity in a cell, the microRNP comprising a microRNA molecule, the microRNA molecule comprising a sequences of bases complementary of the sequence of bases in a single stranded anti-microRNA molecule, the method comprising introducing into the cell the single-stranded anti-microRNA molecule comprising a sequence of a minimum often moieties and a maximum of fifty moieties on a molecular backbone, the molecular backbone comprising backbone units, each moiety comprising a base bonded to a backbone unit, each base forming a Watson-Crick base pair with a complementary base, wherein at least ten contiguous bases of the anti-microRNA molecule are complementary to the microRNA, except that up to thirty percent of the bases may be substituted by wobble base pairs, and up to ten percent of the at least ten moieties may be additions, deletions, mismatches, or combinations thereof; and no more than fifty percent of the contiguous moieties contain deoxyribonucleotide backbone units.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the modified nucleotide units discussed in the specification. B denotes any one of the following nucleic acid bases: adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, thymine, or uridine.

FIG. 2. Antisense 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide specifically inhibit miR-21 guided cleavage activity in HeLa cell S100 cytoplasmic extracts. The black bar to the left of the RNase T1 ladder represents the region of the target RNA complementary to miR-21. Oligonucleotides complementary to miR-21 were pre-incubated in S100 extracts prior to the addition of ³²P-cap-labelled cleavage substrate. Cleavage bands and T1 hydrolysis bands appear as doublets after a 1-nt slipping of the T7 RNA polymerase near the middle of the transcript indicated by the asterisk.

FIG. 3. Antisense 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides interfere with endogenous miR-21 RNP cleavage in HeLa cells. HeLa cells were transfected with pHcRed and pEGFP or its derivatives, with or without inhibitory or control oligonucleotides. EGFP and HcRed protein fluorescence were excited and recorded individually by fluorescence microscopy 24 h after transfection. Co-expression of co-transfected reporter plasmids was documented by superimposing of the fluorescence images in the right panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an isolated single stranded anti-microRNA molecule. The molecule comprises a minimum number of ten moieties, preferably a minimum of thirteen, more preferably a minimum of fifteen, even more preferably a minimum of 18, and most preferably a minimum of 21 moieties.

The anti-microRNA molecule comprises a maximum number of fifty moieties, preferably a maximum of forty, more preferably a maximum of thirty, even more preferably a maximum of twenty-five, and most preferably a maximum of twenty-three moieties. A suitable range of minimum and maximum number of moieties may be obtained by combining any of the above minima with any of the above maxima.

Each moiety comprises a base bonded to a backbone unit. In this specification, a base refers to any one of the nucleic acid bases present in DNA or RNA. The base can be a purine or pyrimidine. Examples of purine bases include adenine (A) and guanine (G). Examples of pyrimidine bases include thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U). Each base of the moiety forms a Watson-Crick base pair with a complementary base.

Watson-Crick base pairs as used herein refers to the hydrogen bonding interaction between, for example, the following bases: adenine and thymine (A=T); adenine and uracil (A=U); and cytosine and guanine (C=G). The adenine can be replaced with 2,6-diaminopurine without compromising base-pairing.

The backbone unit may be any molecular unit that is able stably to bind to a base and to form an oligomeric chain. Suitable backbone units are well known to those in the art.

For example, suitable backbone units include sugar-phosphate groups, such as the sugar-phosphate groups present in ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, phosphorothioate deoxyribose groups, N′3-N′5 phosphoroamidate deoxyribose groups, 2′O-alkyl-ribose phosphate groups, 2′-O-alkyl-alkoxy ribose phosphate groups, ribose phosphate group containing a methylene bridge, 2′-Fluororibose phosphate groups, morpholino phosphoroamidate groups, cyclohexene groups, tricyclo phosphate groups, and amino acid molecules.

In one embodiment, the anti-microRNA molecule comprises at least one moiety which is a ribonucleotide moiety or a deoxyribonucleotide moiety.

In another embodiment, the anti-microRNA molecule comprises at least one moiety which confers increased nuclease resistance. The nuclease can be an exonuclease, an endonuclease, or both. The exonuclease can be a 3′→5′ exonuclease or a 5′→3′ exonuclease. Examples of 3′→5′ human exonuclease include PNPT1, Werner syndrome helicase, RRP40, RRP41, RRP42, RRP45, and RRP46. Examples of 5′→3′ exonuclease include XRN2, and FEN1. Examples of endonucleases include Dicer, Drosha, RNase4, Ribonuclease P, Ribonuclease H1, DHP1, ERCC-1 and OGG1. Examples of nucleases which function as both an exonuclease and an endonuclease include APE1 and EXO1.

An anti-microRNA molecule comprising at least one moiety which confers increased nuclease resistance means a sequence of moieties wherein at least one moiety is not recognized by a nuclease. Therefore, the nuclease resistance of the molecule is increased compared to a sequence containing only unmodified ribonucleotide, unmodified deoxyribonucleotide or both. Such modified moieties are well known in the art, and were reviewed, for example, by Kurreck, Eur. J. Biochem. 270, 1628-1644 (2003).

A modified moiety can occur at any position in the anti-microRNA molecule. For example, to protect the anti-microRNA molecule against 3′→5′ exonucleases, the molecule can have at least one modified moiety at the 3′ end of the molecule and preferably at least two modified moieties at the 3′ end. If it is desirable to protect the molecule against 5′→3′ exonuclease, the anti-microRNA molecule can have at least one modified moiety and preferably at least two modified moieties at the 5′ end of the molecule. The anti-microRNA molecule can also have at least one and preferably at least two modified moieties between the 5′ and 3′ end of the molecule to increase resistance of the molecule to endonucleases. In one embodiment, all of the moieties are nuclease resistant.

In another embodiment, the anti-microRNA molecule comprises at least one modified deoxyribonucleotide moiety. Suitable modified deoxyribonucleotide moieties are known in the art.

A suitable example of a modified deoxyribonucleotide moiety is a phosphorothioate deoxyribonucleotide moiety. See structure 1 in FIG. 1. An anti-microRNA molecule comprising more than one phosphorothioate deoxyribonucleotide moiety is referred to as phosphorothioate (PS) DNA. See, for example, Eckstein, Antisense Nucleic Acids Drug Dev. 10, 117-121 (2000).

Another suitable example of a modified deoxyribonucleotide moiety is an N′3-N′5 phosphoroamidate deoxyribonucleotide moiety. See structure 2 in FIG. 1. An oligonucleotide molecule comprising more than one phosphoroamidate deoxyribonucleotide moiety is referred to as phosphoroamidate (NP) DNA. See, for example, Gryaznov et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116, 3143-3144 (1994).

In another embodiment, the molecule comprises at least one modified ribonucleotide moiety. Suitable modified ribonucleotide moieties are known in the art.

A suitable example of a modified ribonucleotide moiety is a ribonucleotide moiety that is substituted at the 2′ position. The substituents at the 2′ position may, for example, be a C₁ to C₄ alkyl group. The C₁ to C₄ alkyl group may be saturated or unsaturated, and unbranched or branched. Some examples of C₁ to C₄ alkyl groups include ethyl, isopropyl, and allyl. The preferred C₁ to C₄ alkyl group is methyl. See structure 3 in FIG. 1. An oligoribonucleotide molecule comprising more than one ribonucleotide moeity that is substituted at the 2′ position with a C₁ to C₄ alkyl group is referred to as a 2′-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl) RNA, e.g., 2′-O-methyl RNA (OMe RNA).

Another suitable example of a substituent at the 2′ position of a modified ribonucleotide moiety is a C₁ to C₄ alkoxy-C₁ to C₄ alkyl group. The C₁ to C₄ alkoxy (alkyloxy) and C₁ to C₄ alkyl group may comprise any of the alkyl groups described above. The preferred C₁ to C₄ alkoxy-C₁ to C₄ alkyl group is methoxyethyl. See structure 4 in FIG. 1. An oligonucleotide molecule comprising more than one ribonucleotide moiety that is substituted at the 2′ position with a C1 to C₄ alkoxy-C₁ to C₄ alkyl group is referred to as a 2′-O—(C₁ to C₄ alkoxy-C₁ to C₄ alkyl) RNA, e.g., 2′-O-methoxyethyl RNA (MOE RNA).

Another suitable example of a modified ribonucleotide moiety is a ribonucleotide that has a methylene bridge between the 2′-oxygen atom and the 4′-carbon atom. See structure 5 in FIG. 1. An oligoribonucleotide molecule comprising more than one ribonucleotide moiety that has a methylene bridge between the 2′-oxygen atom and the 4′-carbon atom is referred to as locked nucleic acid (LNA). See, for example, Kurreck et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 30, 1911-1918 (2002); Elayadi et al., Curr. Opinion Invest. Drugs 2, 558-561 (2001); ørum et al., Curr. Opinion Mol. Ther. 3, 239-243 (2001); Koshkin et al., Tetrahedron 54, 3607-3630 (1998); Obika et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 39, 5401-5404 (1998). Locked nucleic acids are commercially available from Proligo (Paris, France and Boulder, Colo., USA).

Another suitable example of a modified ribonucleotide moiety is a ribonucleotide that is substituted at the 2′ position with fluoro group. A modified ribonucleotide moiety having a fluoro group at the 2′ position is a 2′-fluororibonucleotide moiety. Such moieties are known in the art. Molecules comprising more than one 2′-fluororibonucleotide moiety are referred to herein as 2′-fluororibo nucleic acids (FANA). See structure 7 in FIG. 1. Damha et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120, 12976-12977 (1998).

In another embodiment, the anti-microRNA molecule comprises at least one base bonded to an amino acid residue. Moieties that have at least one base bonded to an amino acid residue will be referred to herein as peptide nucleic acid (PNA) moieties. Such moieties are nuclease resistance, and are known in the art. Molecules having more than one PNA moiety are referred to as peptide nucleic acids. See structure 6 in FIG. 1. Nielson, Methods Enzymol. 313, 156-164 (1999); Elayadi, et al, id.; Braasch et al., Biochemistry 41, 4503-4509 (2002), Nielsen et al., Science 254, 1497-1500 (1991).

The amino acids can be any amino acid, including natural or non-natural amino acids. Naturally occurring amino acids include, for example, the twenty most common amino acids normally found in proteins, i.e., alanine (Ala), arginine (Arg), asparagine (Asn), aspartic acid (Asp), cysteine (Cys), glutamine (Glu), glutamic acid (Glu), glycine (Gly), histidine (His), isoleucine (Ileu), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), phenylalanine (Phe), proline (Pro), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), tryptophan, (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), and valine (Val).

The non-natural amino acids may, for example, comprise alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl groups. Some examples of alkyl amino acids include α-aminobutyric acid, β-aminobutyric acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, δ-aminovaleric acid, and ε-aminocaproic acid. Some examples of aryl amino acids include ortho-, meta, and para-aminobenzoic acid. Some examples of alkylaryl amino acids include ortho-, meta-, and para-aminophenylacetic acid, and γ-phenyl-β-aminobutyric acid.

Non-naturally occurring amino acids also include derivatives of naturally occurring amino acids. The derivative of a naturally occurring amino acid may, for example, include the addition or one or more chemical groups to the naturally occurring amino acid.

For example, one or more chemical groups can be added to one or more of the 2′, 3′, 4′, 5′, or 6′ position of the aromatic ring of a phenylalanine or tyrosine residue, or the 4′, 5′, 6′, or 7′ position of the benzo ring of a tryptophan residue. The group can be any chemical group that can be added to an aromatic ring. Some examples of such groups include hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, nitro, halo (i.e., fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo), or branched or unbranched C₁-C₄ alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, or t-butyl.

Furthermore, other examples of non-naturally occurring amino acids which are derivatives of naturally occurring amino acids include norvaline (Nva), norleucine (Nle), and hydroxyproline (Hyp).

The amino acids can be identical or different from one another. Bases are attached to the amino acid unit by molecular linkages. Examples of linkages are methylene carbonyl, ethylene carbonyl and ethyl linkages. (Nielsen et al., Peptide Nucleic Acids-Protocols and Applications, Horizon Scientific Press, pages 1-19; Nielsen et al., Science 254: 1497-1500.)

One example of a PNA moiety is N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine. Further examples of PNA moieties include cyclohexyl PNA, retro-inverso, phosphone, propionyl and aminoproline PNA.

PNA can be chemically synthesized by methods known in the art, e.g. by modified Fmoc or tBoc peptide synthesis protocols. The PNA has many desirable properties, including high melting temperatures (Tm), high base-pairing specificity with nucleic acid and an uncharged molecular backbone. Additionally, the PNA does not confer RNase H sensitivity on the target RNA, and generally has good metabolic stability.

Peptide nucleic acids are also commercially available from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif., USA).

In another embodiment, the anti-microRNA molecule comprises at least one morpholino phosphoroamidate nucleotide moiety. A morpholino phosphoroamidate nucleotide moiety is a modified moiety which is nuclease resistant. Such moieties are known in the art. Molecules comprising more than one morpholino phosphoroamidate nucleotide moiety are referred to as morpholino (MF) nucleic acids. See structure 8 in FIG. 1. Heasman, Dev. Biol. 243, 209-214 (2002). Morpholono oligonucleotides are commercially available from Gene Tools LLC (Corvallis, Oreg., USA).

In another embodiment, the anti-microRNA molecule comprises at least one cyclohexene nucleotide moiety. A cyclohexene nucleotide moiety is a modified moiety which is nuclease resistant. Such moieties are known in the art. Molecules comprising more than one cyclohexene nucleotide moiety are referred to as cyclohexene nucleic acids (CeNA). See structure 10 in FIG. 1. Wang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122, 8595-8602 (2000), Verbeure et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 29, 4941-4947 (2001).

In another embodiment, the anti-microRNA molecule comprises at least one tricyclo nucleotide moiety. A tricyclo nucleotide moiety is a modified moiety which is nuclease resistant. Such moieties are known in the art. Steffens et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 119, 11548-11549 (1997), Renneberg et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 124, 5993-6002 (2002). Molecules comprising more than one tricyclo nucleotide moiety are referred to as tricyclo nucleic acids (tcDNA). See structure 9 in FIG. 1.

In another embodiment, to increase nuclease resistance of the anti-microRNA molecules of the present invention to exonucleases, inverted nucleotide caps can be attached to the 5′ end, the 3′ end, or both ends of the molecule. An inverted nucleotide cap refers to a 3→5′ sequence of nucleic acids attached to the anti-microRNA molecule at the 5′ and/or the 3′ end. There is no limit to the maximum number of nucleotides in the inverted cap just as long as it does not interfere with binding of the anti-microRNA molecule to its target microRNA. Any nucleotide can be used in the inverted nucleotide cap. Typically, the inverted nucleotide cap is one nucleotide in length. The nucleotide for the inverted cap is generally thymine, but can be any nucleotide such as adenine, guanine, uracil, or cytosine.

Alternatively, an ethylene glycol compound and/or amino linkers can be attached to the either or both ends of the anti-microRNA molecule. Amino linkers can also be used to increase nuclease resistance of the anti-microRNA molecules to endonucleases. The table below lists some examples of amino linkers. The below listed amino linker are commercially available from TriLink Biotechnologies, San Diego, Calif.

2′-Deoxycytidine-5-C6 Amino Linker (3′ Terminus) 2′-Deoxycytidine-5-C6 Amino Linker (5′ or Internal) 3′ C3 Amino Linker 3′ C6 Amino Linker 3′ C7 Amino Linker 5′ C12 Amino Linker 5′ C3 Amino Linker 5′ C6 Amino Linker C7 Internal Amino Linker Thymidine-5-C2 Amino Linker (5′ or Internal) Thymidine-5-C6 Amino Linker (3′ Terminus) Thymidine-5-C6 Amino Linker (Internal)

Chimeric anti-microRNA molecules containing a mixture of any of the moieties mentioned above are also known, and may be made by methods known, in the art. See, for example, references cited above, and Wang et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96, 13989-13994 (1999), Liang et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 269, 5753-5758 (2002), Lok et al., Biochemistry 41, 3457-3467 (2002), and Damha et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120, 12976-12977 (2002).

The molecules of the invention comprise at least ten contiguous, preferably at least thirteen contiguous, more preferably at least fifteen contiguous, and even more preferably at least twenty contiguous bases that have the same sequence as a sequence of bases in any one of the anti-microRNA molecules shown in Tables 1-4. The anti-microRNA molecules optimally comprise the entire sequence of any one of the anti-microRNA molecule sequences shown in Tables 1-4.

For the contiguous bases mentioned above, up to thirty percent of the base pairs may be substituted by wobble base pairs. As used herein, wobble base pairs refers to either: i) substitution of a cytosine with a uracil, or 2) the substitution of a adenine with a guanine, in the sequence of the anti-microRNA molecule. These wobble base pairs are generally referred to as UG or GU wobbles. Below is a table showing the number of contiguous bases and the maximum number of wobble base pairs in the anti-microRNA molecule:

Table for Number of Wobble Bases No. of Contiguous Bases 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Max. No. of 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 Wobble Base Pairs No. of Contiguous Bases 19 20 21 22 23 Max. No. of 5 6 6 6 6 Wobble Base Pairs

Further, up to ten percent, and preferably up to five percent of the contiguous bases can be additions, deletions, mismatches or combinations thereof. Additions refer to the insertion in the contiguous sequence of any moiety described above comprising any one of the bases described above. Deletions refer to the removal of any moiety present in the contiguous sequence. Mismatches refer to the substitution of one of the moieties comprising a base in the contiguous sequence with any of the above described moieties comprising a different base.

The additions, deletions or mismatches can occur anywhere in the contiguous sequence, for example, at either end of the contiguous sequence or within the contiguous sequence of the anti-microRNA molecule. If the contiguous sequence is relatively short, such as from about ten to about 15 moieties in length, preferably the additions, deletions or mismatches occur at the end of the contiguous sequence. If the contiguous sequence is relatively long, such as a minimum of sixteen contiguous sequences, then the additions, deletions, or mismatches can occur anywhere in the contiguous sequence. Below is a table showing the number of contiguous bases and the maximum number of additions, deletions, mismatches or combinations thereof:

Table for Up to 10% No. of Contiguous Bases 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Max. No. of 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Additions, Deletions and/or Mismatches No. of Contiguous Bases 19 20 21 22 23 Max. No. of 1 2 2 2 2 Additions, Deletions and/or Mismatches

Table for Up to 5% No. of Contiguous Bases 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Max. No. of 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Additions, Deletions and/or Mismatches No. of Contiguous Bases 19 20 21 22 23 Max. No. of 0 1 1 1 1 Additions, Deletions and/or Mismatches

Furthermore, no more than fifty percent, and preferably no more than thirty percent, of the contiguous moieties contain deoxyribonucleotide backbone units. Below is a table showing the number of contiguous bases and the maximum number of deoxyribonucleotide backbone units:

Table for Fifty Percent Deoxyribonucleotide Backbone Units No. of Contiguous Bases 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Max. No. of 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 Deoxyribonucleotide Backbone Units No. of Contiguous Bases 19 20 21 22 23 Max. No. of 9 10 10 11 11 Deoxyribonucleotide Backbone Units

Table for Thirty Percent Deoxyribonucleotide Backbone Units No. of Contiguous Bases 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Max. No. of 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 Deoxyribonucleotide Backbone Units No. of Contiguous Bases 19 20 21 22 23 Max. No. of 5 6 6 6 6 Deoxyribonucleotide Backbone Units

The moiety in the anti-RNA molecule at the position corresponding to position 11 of the microRNA is optionally non-complementary to a microRNA. The moiety in the anti-microRNA molecule corresponding to position 11 of the microRNA can be rendered non-complementary by an addition, deletion or mismatch as described above.

In another embodiment, if the anti-microRNA molecule comprises only unmodified moieties, then the anti-microRNA molecules comprises at least one base, in the at least ten contiguous bases, which is non-complementary to the microRNA and/or comprises an inverted nucleotide cap, ethylene glycol compound or an amino linker.

In yet another embodiment, if the at least ten contiguous bases in an anti-microRNA molecule is perfectly (i.e., 100%) complementary to ten contiguous bases in a microRNA, then the anti-microRNA molecule contains at least one modified moiety in the at least ten contiguous bases and/or comprises an inverted nucleotide cap, ethylene glycol compound or an amino linker.

As stated above, the maximum length of the anti-microRNA molecule is 50 moieties. Any number of moieties having any base sequence can be added to the contiguous base sequence. The additional moieties can be added to the 5′ end, the 3′ end, or to both ends of the contiguous sequence.

MicroRNA molecules are derived from genomic loci and are produced from specific microRNA genes. Mature microRNA molecules are processed from precursor transcripts that form local hairpin structures. The hairpin structures are typically cleaved by an enzyme known as Dicer, which generates one microRNA duplex. See Bartel, Cell 116, 281-297 (2004) for a review on microRNA molecules. The article by Bartel is hereby incorporated by reference.

Each strand of a microRNA is packaged in a microRNA ribonucleoprotein complex (microRNP). A microRNP in, for example, humans, also includes the proteins eIF2C2, the helicase Gemin3, and Gemin 4.

The sequence of bases in the anti-microRNA molecules of the present invention can be derived from a microRNA from any species e.g. such as a fly (e.g., Drosophila melanogaster), a worm (e.g., C. elegans). Preferably the sequence of bases is found in mammals, especially humans (H. sapiens), mice (e.g., M. musculus), and rats (R. norvegicus).

The anti-microRNA molecule is preferably isolated, which means that it is essentially free of other nucleic acids. Essentially free from other nucleic acids means that it is at least 90%, preferably at least 95% and, more preferably, at least 98% free of other nucleic acids.

Preferably, the molecule is essentially pure, which means that the molecules is free not only of other nucleic acids, but also of other materials used in the synthesis of the molecule, such as, for example, enzymes used in the synthesis of the molecule. The molecule is at least 90% free, preferably at least 95% free and, more preferably, at least 98% free of such materials.

The anti-microRNA molecules of the present invention are capable of inhibiting microRNP activity, preferable in a cell. Inhibiting microRNP activity refers to the inhibition of cleavage of the microRNA's target sequence or the repression of translation of the microRNA's target sequence. The method comprises introducing into the cell a single-stranded microRNA molecule.

Any anti-microRNA molecule can be used in the methods of the present invention, as long as the anti-microRNA is complementary, subject to the restrictions described above, to the microRNA present in the microRNP. Such anti-microRNAs include, for example, the anti-microRNA molecules mentioned above (see Table 1-4), and the anti-microRNAs molecules described in international PCT application number WO 03/029459 A2, the sequences of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The invention also includes any one of the microRNA molecules having the sequences as shown in Table 2. The novel microRNA molecules in Table 2 may optionally be modified as described above for anti-microRNA molecules. The other microRNA molecules in Tables 1, 3 and 4 are modified for increased nuclease resistance as described above for anti-microRNA molecules.

Utility

The anti-microRNA molecules and the microRNA molecules of the present invention have numerous in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo applications.

For example, the anti-microRNA molecules and microRNA of the present invention may be used as a modulator of the expression of genes which are at least partially complementary to the anti-microRNA molecules and microRNA. For example, if a particular microRNA is beneficial for the survival of a cell, an appropriate isolated microRNA of the present invention may be introduced into the cell to promote survival. Alternatively, if a particular microRNA is harmful (e.g., induces apoptosis, induces cancer, etc.), an appropriate anti-microRNA molecule can be introduced into the cell in order to inhibit the activity of the microRNA and reduce the harm.

In addition, anti-microRNA molecules and/or microRNAs of the present invention can be introduced into a cell to study the function of the microRNA. Any of the anti-microRNA molecules and/or microRNAs listed above can be introduced into a cell for studying their function. For example, a microRNA in a cell can be inhibited with a suitable anti-microRNA molecule. The function of the microRNA can be inferred by observing changes associated with inhibition of the microRNA in the cell in order to inhibit the activity of the microRNA and reduce the harm.

The cell can be any cell which expresses microRNA molecules, including the microRNA molecules listed herein. Alternatively, the cell can be any cell transfected with an expression vector containing the nucleotide sequence of a microRNA.

Examples of cells include, but are not limited to, endothelial cells, epithelial cells, leukocytes (e.g., T cells, B cells, neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils, basophils, dendritic cells, natural killer cells and monocytes), stem cells, hemopoietic cells, embryonic cells, cancer cells.

The anti-microRNA molecules or microRNAs can be introduced into a cell by any method known to those skilled in the art. Useful delivery systems, include for example, liposomes and charged lipids. Liposomes typically encapsulate oligonucleotide molecules within their aqueous center. Charged lipids generally form lipid-oligonucleotide molecule complexes as a result of opposing charges.

These liposomes-oligonucleotide molecule complexes or lipid-oligonucleotide molecule complexes are usually internalized by endocytosis. The liposomes or charged lipids generally comprise helper lipids which disrupt the endosomal membrane and release the oligonucleotide molecules.

Other methods for introducing an anti-microRNA molecule or a microRNA into a cell include use of delivery vehicles, such as dendrimers, biodegradable polymers, polymers of amino acids, polymers of sugars, and oligonucleotide-binding nanoparticles. In addition, pluoronic gel as a depot reservoir can be used to deliver the anti-microRNA oligonucleotide molecules over a prolonged period. The above methods are described in, for example, Hughes et al., Drug Discovery Today 6, 303-315 (2001); Liang et al. Eur. J. Biochem. 269 5753-5758 (2002); and Becker et al., In Antisense Technology in the Central Nervous System (Leslie, R. A., Hunter, A. J. & Robertson, H. A., eds), pp. 147-157, Oxford University Press.

Targeting of an anti-microRNA molecule or a microRNA to a particular cell can be performed by any method known to those skilled in the art. For example, the anti-microRNA molecule or microRNA can be conjugated to an antibody or ligand specifically recognized by receptors on the cell.

The sequences of microRNA and anti-microRNA molecules are shown in Tables 1-4 below. Human sequences are indicated with the prefix “hsa.” Mouse sequences are indicated with the prefix “mmu.” Rat sequences are indicated with the prefix “mo.” C. elegan sequences are indicated with the prefix “cel.” Drosophila sequences are indicated with the prefix “dme.”

TABLE 1 Human, Mouse and Rat microRNA and anti-microRNA sequences. microRNA Anti-microRNA molecule sequence name microRNA sequence (5′ to 3′) (5′ to 3′) hsa-miR-100 SEQ ID NO. 1 AACCCGUAGAUCCGAACUUGUG SEQ ID NO. 307 CACAAGUUCGGAUCUACGGGUU hsa-miR-103 SEQ ID NO. 2 AGCAGCAUUGUACAGGGCUAUG SEQ ID NO. 308 CAUAGCCCUGUACAAUGCUGCU hsa-miR-105-5p SEQ ID NO. 3 UCAAAUGCUCAGACUCCUGUGG SEQ ID NO. 309 CCACAGGAGUCUGAGCAUUUGA hsa-miR-106a SEQ ID NO. 4 AAAAGUGCUUACAGUGCAGGUA SEQ ID NO. 310 UACCUGCACUGUAAGCACUUUU hsa-miR-106b SEQ ID NO. 5 UAAAGUGCUGACAGUGCAGAUA SEQ ID NO. 311 UAUCUGCACUGUCAGCACUUUA hsa-miR-107 SEQ ID NO. 6 AGCAGCAUUGUACAGGGCUAUC SEQ ID NO. 312 GAUAGCCCUGUACAAUGCUGCU hsa-miR-10b SEQ ID NO. 7 UACCCUGUAGAACCGAAUUUGU SEQ ID NO. 313 ACAAAUUCGGUUCUACAGGGUA hsa-miR-128b SEQ ID NO. 8 UCACAGUGAACCGGUCUCUUUC SEQ ID NO. 314 GAAAGAGACCGGUUCACUGUGA hsa-miR-130b SEQ ID NO. 9 CAGUGCAAUGAUGAAAGGGCAU SEQ ID NO. 315 AUGCCCUUUCAUCAUUGCACUG hsa-miR-140-3p SEQ ID NO. 10 UACCACAGGGUAGAACCACGGA SEQ ID NO. 316 UCCGUGGUUCUACCCUGUGGUA hsa-miR-142-5p SEQ ID NO. 11 CCCAUAAAGUAGAAAGCACUAC SEQ ID NO. 317 GUAGUGCUUUCUACUUUAUGGG hsa-miR-151-5p SEQ ID NO. 12 UCGAGGAGCUCACAGUCUAGUA SEQ ID NO. 318 UACUAGACUGUGAGCUCCUCGA hsa-miR-155 SEQ ID NO. 13 UUAAUGCUAAUCGUGAUAGGGG SEQ ID NO. 319 CCCCUAUCACGAUUAGCAUUAA hsa-miR-181a SEQ ID NO. 14 AACAUUCAACGCUGUCGGUGAG SEQ ID NO. 320 CUCACCGACAGCGUUGAAUGUU hsa-miR-181b SEQ ID NO. 15 AACAUUCAUUGCUGUCGGUGGG SEQ ID NO. 321 CCCACCGACAGCAAUGAAUGUU hsa-miR-181c SEQ ID NO. 16 AACAUUCAACCUGUCGGUGAGU SEQ ID NO. 322 ACUCACCGACAGGUUGAAUGUU hsa-miR-182 SEQ ID NO. 17 UUUGGCAAUGGUAGAACUCACA SEQ ID NO. 323 UGUGAGUUCUACCAUUGCCAAA hsa-miR-183 SEQ ID NO. 18 UAUGGCACUGGUAGAAUUCACU SEQ ID NO. 324 AGUGAAUUCUACCAGUGCCAUA hsa-miR-184 SEQ ID NO. 19 UGGACGGAGAACUGAUAAGGGU SEQ ID NO. 325 ACCCUUAUCAGUUCUCCGUCCA hsa-miR-185 SEQ ID NO. 20 UGGAGAGAAAGGCAGUUCCUGA SEQ ID NO. 326 UCAGGAACUGCCUUUCUCUCCA hsa-miR-186 SEQ ID NO. 21 CAAAGAAUUCUCCUUUUGGGCU SEQ ID NO. 327 AGCCCAAAAGGAGAAUUCUUUG hsa-miR-187 SEQ ID NO. 22 UCGUGUCUUGUGUUGCAGCCGG SEQ ID NO. 328 CCGGCUGCAACACAAGACACGA hsa-miR-188-3p SEQ ID NO. 23 CUCCCACAUGCAGGGUUUGCAG SEQ ID NO. 329 CUGCAAACCCUGCAUGUGGGAG hsa-miR-188-5p SEQ ID NO. 24 CAUCCCUUGCAUGGUGGAGGGU SEQ ID NO. 330 ACCCUCCACCAUGCAAGGGAUG hsa-miR-189 SEQ ID NO. 25 GUGCCUACUGAGCUGAUAUCAG SEQ ID NO. 331 CUGAUAUCAGCUCAGUAGGCAC hsa-miR-190 SEQ ID NO. 26 UGAUAUGUUUGAUAUAUUAGGU SEQ ID NO. 332 ACCUAAUAUAUCAAACAUAUCA hsa-miR-191 SEQ ID NO. 27 CAACGGAAUCCCAAAAGCAGCU SEQ ID NO. 333 AGCUGCUUUUGGGAUUCCGUUG hsa-miR-192 SEQ ID NO. 28 CUGACCUAUGAAUUGACAGCCA SEQ ID NO. 334 UGGCUGUCAAUUCAUAGGUCAG hsa-miR-193-3p SEQ ID NO. 29 AACUGGCCUACAAAGUCCCAGU SEQ ID NO. 335 ACUGGGACUUUGUAGGCCAGUU hsa-miR-193-5p SEQ ID NO. 30 UGGGUCUUUGCGGGCAAGAUGA SEQ ID NO. 336 UCAUCUUGCCCGCAAAGACCCA hsa-miR-194 SEQ ID NO. 31 UGUAACAGCAACUCCAUGUGGA SEQ ID NO. 337 UCCACAUGGAGUUGCUGUUACA hsa-miR-195 SEQ ID NO. 32 UAGCAGCACAGAAAUAUUGGCA SEQ ID NO. 338 UGCCAAUAUUUCUGUGCUGCUA hsa-miR-196 SEQ ID NO. 33 UAGGUAGUUUCAUGUUGUUGGG SEQ ID NO. 339 CCCAACAACAUGAAACUACCUA hsa-miR-197 SEQ ID NO. 34 UUCACCACCUUCUCCACCCAGC SEQ ID NO. 340 GCUGGGUGGAGAAGGUGGUGAA hsa-miR-198 SEQ ID NO. 35 GGUCCAGAGGGGAGAUAGGUUC SEQ ID NO. 341 GAACCUAUCUCCCCUCUGGACC hsa-miR-199a-3p SEQ ID NO. 36 ACAGUAGUCUGCACAUUGGUUA SEQ ID NO. 342 UAACCAAUGUGCAGACUACUGU hsa-miR-199a-5p SEQ ID NO. 37 CCCAGUGUUCAGACUACCUGUU SEQ ID NO. 343 AACAGGUAGUCUGAACACUGGG hsa-miR-199b SEQ ID NO. 38 CCCAGUGUUUAGACUAUCUGUU SEQ ID NO. 344 AACAGAUAGUCUAAACACUGGG hsa-miR-200a SEQ ID NO. 39 UAACACUGUCUGGUAACGAUGU SEQ ID NO. 345 ACAUCGUUACCAGACAGUGUUA hsa-miR-200b SEQ ID NO. 40 CUCUAAUACUGCCUGGUAAUGA SEQ ID NO. 346 UCAUUACCAGGCAGUAUUAGAG hsa-miR-200c SEQ ID NO. 41 AAUACUGCCGGGUAAUGAUGGA SEQ ID NO. 347 UCCAUCAUUACCCGGCAGUAUU hsa-miR-203 SEQ ID NO. 42 GUGAAAUGUUUAGGACCACUAG SEQ ID NO. 348 CUAGUGGUCCUAAACAUUUCAC hsa-miR-204 SEQ ID NO. 43 UUCCCUUUGUCAUCCUAUGCCU SEQ ID NO. 349 AGGCAUAGGAUGACAAAGGGAA hsa-miR-205 SEQ ID NO. 44 UCCUUCAUUCCACCGGAGUCUG SEQ ID NO. 350 CAGACUCCGGUGGAAUGAAGGA hsa-miR-206 SEQ ID NO. 45 UGGAAUGUAAGGAAGUGUGUGG SEQ ID NO. 351 CCACACACUUCCUUACAUUCCA hsa-miR-208 SEQ ID NO. 46 AUAAGACGAGCAAAAAGCUUGU SEQ ID NO. 352 ACAAGCUUUUUGCUCGUCUUAU hsa-miR-210 SEQ ID NO. 47 CUGUGCGUGUGACAGCGGCUGA SEQ ID NO. 353 UCAGCCGCUGUCACACGCACAG hsa-miR-211 SEQ ID NO. 48 UUCCCUUUGUCAUCCUUCGCCU SEQ ID NO. 354 AGGCGAAGGAUGACAAAGGGAA hsa-miR-212 SEQ ID NO. 49 UAACAGUCUCCAGUCACGGCCA SEQ ID NO. 355 UGGCCGUGACUGGAGACUGUUA hsa-miR-213 SEQ ID NO. 50 ACCAUCGACCGUUGAUUGUACC SEQ ID NO. 356 GGUACAAUCAACGGUCGAUGGU hsa-miR-214 SEQ ID NO. 51 ACAGCAGGCACAGACAGGCAGU SEQ ID NO. 357 ACUGCCUGUCUGUGCCUGCUGU hsa-miR-215 SEQ ID NO. 52 AUGACCUAUGAAUUGACAGACA SEQ ID NO. 358 UGUCUGUCAAUUCAUAGGUCAU hsa-miR-216 SEQ ID NO. 53 UAAUCUCAGCUGGCAACUGUGA SEQ ID NO. 359 UCACAGUUGCCAGCUGAGAUUA hsa-miR-217 SEQ ID NO. 54 UACUGCAUCAGGAACUGAUUGG SEQ ID NO. 360 CCAAUCAGUUCCUGAUGCAGUA hsa-miR-218 SEQ ID NO. 55 UUGUGCUUGAUCUAACCAUGUG SEQ ID NO. 361 CACAUGGUUAGAUCAAGCACAA hsa-miR-219 SEQ ID NO. 56 UGAUUGUCCAAACGCAAUUCUU SEQ ID NO. 362 AAGAAUUGCGUUUGGACAAUCA hsa-miR-220 SEQ ID NO. 57 CCACACCGUAUCUGACACUUUG SEQ ID NO. 363 CAAAGUGUCAGAUACGGUGUGG hsa-miR-221 SEQ ID NO. 58 AGCUACAUUGUCUGCUGGGUUU SEQ ID NO. 364 AAACCCAGCAGACAAUGUAGCU hsa-miR-222 SEQ ID NO. 59 AGCUACAUCUGGCUACUGGGUC SEQ ID NO. 365 GACCCAGUAGCCAGAUGUAGCU hsa-miR-223 SEQ ID NO. 60 UGUCAGUUUGUCAAAUACCCCA SEQ ID NO. 366 UGGGGUAUUUGACAAACUGACA hsa-miR-224 SEQ ID NO. 61 CAAGUCACUAGUGGUUCCGUUU SEQ ID NO. 367 AAACGGAACCACUAGUGACUUG hsa-miR-28-5p SEQ ID NO. 62 AAGGAGCUCACAGUCUAUUGAG SEQ ID NO. 368 CUCAAUAGACUGUGAGCUCCUU hsa-miR-290 SEQ ID NO. 63 CUCAAACUGUGGGGGCACUUUC SEQ ID NO. 369 GAAAGUGCCCCCACAGUUUGAG hsa-miR-296 SEQ ID NO. 64 AGGGCCCCCCCUCAAUCCUGUU SEQ ID NO. 370 AACAGGAUUGAGGGGGGGCCCU hsa-miR-299 SEQ ID NO. 65 UGGUUUACCGUCCCACAUACAU SEQ ID NO. 371 AUGUAUGUGGGACGGUAAACCA hsa-miR-301 SEQ ID NO. 66 CAGUGCAAUAGUAUUGUCAAAG SEQ ID NO. 372 CUUUGACAAUACUAUUGCACUG hsa-miR-302 SEQ ID NO. 67 UAAGUGCUUCCAUGUUUUGGUG SEQ ID NO. 373 CACCAAAACAUGGAAGCACUUA hsa-miR-30e SEQ ID NO. 68 UGUAAACAUCCUUGACUGGAAG SEQ ID NO. 374 CUUCCAGUCAAGGAUGUUUACA hsa-miR-320 SEQ ID NO. 69 AAAAGCUGGGUUGAGAGGGCGA SEQ ID NO. 375 UCGCCCUCUCAACCCAGCUUUU hsa-miR-321 SEQ ID NO. 70 UAAGCCAGGGAUUGUGGGUUCG SEQ ID NO. 376 CGAACCCACAAUCCCUGGCUUA hsa-miR-322 SEQ ID NO. 71 AAACAUGAAUUGCUGCUGUAUC SEQ ID NO. 377 GAUACAGCAGCAAUUCAUGUUU hsa-miR-323 SEQ ID NO. 72 GCACAUUACACGGUCGACCUCU SEQ ID NO. 378 AGAGGUCGACCGUGUAAUGUGC hsa-miR-324-3p SEQ ID NO. 73 CCACUGCCCCAGGUGCUGCUGG SEQ ID NO. 379 CCAGCAGCACCUGGGGCAGUGG hsa-miR-324-5p SEQ ID NO. 74 CGCAUCCCCUAGGGCAUUGGUG SEQ ID NO. 380 CACCAAUGCCCUAGGGGAUGCG hsa-miR-326 SEQ ID NO. 75 CCUCUGGGCCCUUCCUCCAGCC SEQ ID NO. 381 GGCUGGAGGAAGGGCCCAGAGG hsa-miR-328 SEQ ID NO. 76 CUGGCCCUCUCUGCCCUUCCGU SEQ ID NO. 382 ACGGAAGGGCAGAGAGGGCCAG hsa-miR-329 SEQ ID NO. 77 AACACACCCAGCUAACCUUUUU SEQ ID NO. 383 AAAAAGGUUAGCUGGGUGUGUU hsa-miR-34a SEQ ID NO. 78 UGGCAGUGUCUUAGCUGGUUGU SEQ ID NO. 384 ACAACCAGCUAAGACACUGCCA hsa-miR-34b SEQ ID NO. 79 AGGCAGUGUCAUUAGCUGAUUG SEQ ID NO. 385 CAAUCAGCUAAUGACACUGCCU hsa-miR-34c SEQ ID NO. 80 AGGCAGUGUAGUUAGCUGAUUG SEQ ID NO. 386 CAAUCAGCUAACUACACUGCCU hsa-miR-92 SEQ ID NO. 81 UAUUGCACUUGUCCCGGCCUGU SEQ ID NO. 387 ACAGGCCGGGACAAGUGCAAUA hsa-miR-93 SEQ ID NO. 82 AAAGUGCUGUUCGUGCAGGUAG SEQ ID NO. 388 CUACCUGCACGAACAGCACUUU hsa-miR-95 SEQ ID NO. 83 UUCAACGGGUAUUUAUUGAGCA SEQ ID NO. 389 UGCUCAAUAAAUACCCGUUGAA hsa-miR-96 SEQ ID NO. 84 UUUGGCACUAGCACAUUUUUGC SEQ ID NO. 390 GCAAAAAUGUGCUAGUGCCAAA hsa-miR-98 SEQ ID NO. 85 UGAGGUAGUAAGUUGUAUUGUU SEQ ID NO. 391 AACAAUACAACUUACUACCUCA mmu-miR-106a SEQ ID NO. 86 CAAAGUGCUAACAGUGCAGGUA SEQ ID NO. 392 UACCUGCACUGUUAGCACUUUG mmu-miR-10b SEQ ID NO. 87 CCCUGUAGAACCGAAUUUGUGU SEQ ID NO. 393 ACACAAAUUCGGUUCUACAGGG mmu-miR-135b SEQ ID NO. 88 UAUGGCUUUUCAUUCCUAUGUG SEQ ID NO. 394 CACAUAGGAAUGAAAAGCCAUA mmu-miR-148b SEQ ID NO. 89 UCAGUGCAUCACAGAACUUUGU SEQ ID NO. 395 ACAAAGUUCUGUGAUGCACUGA mmu-miR-151-3p SEQ ID NO. 90 CUAGACUGAGGCUCCUUGAGGA SEQ ID NO. 396 UCCUCAAGGAGCCUCAGUCUAG mmu-miR-155 SEQ ID NO. 91 UUAAUGCUAAUUGUGAUAGGGG SEQ ID NO. 397 CCCCUAUCACAAUUAGCAUUAA mmu-miR-199b SEQ ID NO. 92 CCCAGUGUUUAGACUACCUGUU SEQ ID NO. 398 AACAGGUAGUCUAAACACUGGG mmu-miR-200b SEQ ID NO. 93 UAAUACUGCCUGGUAAUGAUGA SEQ ID NO. 399 UCAUCAUUACCAGGCAGUAUUA mmu-miR-203 SEQ ID NO. 94 UGAAAUGUUUAGGACCACUAGA SEQ ID NO. 400 UCUAGUGGUCCUAAACAUUUCA mmu-miR-211 SEQ ID NO. 95 UUCCCUUUGUCAUCCUUUGCCU SEQ ID NO. 401 AGGCAAAGGAUGACAAAGGGAA mmu-miR-217 SEQ ID NO. 96 UACUGCAUCAGGAACUGACUGG SEQ ID NO. 402 CCAGUCAGUUCCUGAUGCAGUA mmu-miR-224 SEQ ID NO. 97 UAAGUCACUAGUGGUUCCGUUU SEQ ID NO. 403 AAACGGAACCACUAGUGACUUA mmu-miR-28-3p SEQ ID NO. 98 CACUAGAUUGUGAGCUGCUGGA SEQ ID NO. 404 UCCAGCAGCUCACAAUCUAGUG mmu-miR-290 SEQ ID NO. 99 CUCAAACUAUGGGGGCACUUUU SEQ ID NO. 405 AAAAGUGCCCCCAUAGUUUGAG mmu-miR-291-3p SEQ ID NO. 100 AAAGUGCUUCCACUUUGUGUGC SEQ ID NO. 406 GCACACAAAGUGGAAGCACUUU mmu-miR-291-5p SEQ ID NO. 101 CAUCAAAGUGGAGGCCCUCUCU SEQ ID NO. 407 AGAGAGGGCCUCCACUUUGAUG mmu-miR-292-3p SEQ ID NO. 102 AAGUGCCGCCAGGUUUUGAGUG SEQ ID NO. 408 CACUCAAAACCUGGCGGCACUU mmu-miR-292-5p SEQ ID NO. 103 ACUCAAACUGGGGGCUCUUUUG SEQ ID NO. 409 CAAAAGAGCCCCCAGUUUGAGU mmu-miR-293 SEQ ID NO. 104 AGUGCCGCAGAGUUUGUAGUGU SEQ ID NO. 410 ACACUACAAACUCUGCGGCACU mmu-miR-294 SEQ ID NO. 105 AAAGUGCUUCCCUUUUGUGUGU SEQ ID NO. 411 ACACACAAAAGGGAAGCACUUU mmu-miR-295 SEQ ID NO. 106 AAAGUGCUACUACUUUUGAGUC SEQ ID NO. 412 GACUCAAAAGUAGUAGCACUUU mmu-miR-297 SEQ ID NO. 107 AUGUAUGUGUGCAUGUGCAUGU SEQ ID NO. 413 ACAUGCACAUGCACACAUACAU mmu-miR-298 SEQ ID NO. 108 GGCAGAGGAGGGCUGUUCUUCC SEQ ID NO. 414 GGAAGAACAGCCCUCCUCUGCC mmu-miR-300 SEQ ID NO. 109 UAUGCAAGGGCAAGCUCUCUUC SEQ ID NO. 415 GAAGAGAGCUUGCCCUUGCAUA mmu-miR-31 SEQ ID NO. 110 AGGCAAGAUGCUGGCAUAGCUG SEQ ID NO. 416 CAGCUAUGCCAGCAUCUUGCCU mmu-miR-322 SEQ ID NO. 111 AAACAUGAAGCGCUGCAACACC SEQ ID NO. 417 GGUGUUGCAGCGCUUCAUGUUU mmu-miR-325 SEQ ID NO. 112 CCUAGUAGGUGCUCAGUAAGUG SEQ ID NO. 418 CACUUACUGAGCACCUACUAGG mmu-miR-326 SEQ ID NO. 113 CCUCUGGGCCCUUCCUCCAGUC SEQ ID NO. 419 GACUGGAGGAAGGGCCCAGAGG mmu-miR-330 SEQ ID NO. 114 GCAAAGCACAGGGCCUGCAGAG SEQ ID NO. 420 CUCUGCAGGCCCUGUGCUUUGC mmu-miR-331 SEQ ID NO. 115 GCCCCUGGGCCUAUCCUAGAAC SEQ ID NO. 421 GUUCUAGGAUAGGCCCAGGGGC mmu-miR-337 SEQ ID NO. 116 UUCAGCUCCUAUAUGAUGCCUU SEQ ID NO. 422 AAGGCAUCAUAUAGGAGCUGAA mmu-miR-338 SEQ ID NO. 117 UCCAGCAUCAGUGAUUUUGUUG SEQ ID NO. 423 CAACAAAAUCACUGAUGCUGGA mmu-miR-339 SEQ ID NO. 118 UCCCUGUCCUCCAGGAGCUCAC SEQ ID NO. 424 GUGAGCUCCUGGAGGACAGGGA mmu-miR-340 SEQ ID NO. 119 UCCGUCUCAGUUACUUUAUAGC SEQ ID NO. 425 GCUAUAAAGUAACUGAGACGGA mmu-miR-341 SEQ ID NO. 120 UCGAUCGGUCGGUCGGUCAGUC SEQ ID NO. 426 GACUGACCGACCGACCGAUCGA mmu-miR-342 SEQ ID NO. 121 UCUCACACAGAAAUCGCACCCG SEQ ID NO. 427 CGGGUGCGAUUUCUGUGUGAGA mmu-miR-344 SEQ ID NO. 122 UGAUCUAGCCAAAGCCUGACUG SEQ ID NO. 428 CAGUCAGGCUUUGGCUAGAUCA mmu-miR-345 SEQ ID NO. 123 UGCUGACCCCUAGUCCAGUGCU SEQ ID NO. 429 AGCACUGGACUAGGGGUCAGCA mmu-miR-346 SEQ ID NO. 124 UGUCUGCCCGAGUGCCUGCCUC SEQ ID NO. 430 GAGGCAGGCACUCGGGCAGACA mmu-miR-34b SEQ ID NO. 125 UAGGCAGUGUAAUUAGCUGAUU SEQ ID NO. 431 AAUCAGCUAAUUACACUGCCUA mmu-miR-350 SEQ ID NO. 126 UUCACAAAGCCCAUACACUUUC SEQ ID NO. 432 GAAAGUGUAUGGGCUUUGUGAA mmu-miR-351 SEQ ID NO. 127 UCCCUGAGGAGCCCUUUGAGCC SEQ ID NO. 433 GGCUCAAAGGGCUCCUCAGGGA mmu-miR-7b SEQ ID NO. 128 UGGAAGACUUGUGAUUUUGUUG SEQ ID NO. 434 CAACAAAAUCACAAGUCUUCCA mmu-miR-92 SEQ ID NO. 129 UAUUGCACUUGUCCCGGCCUGA SEQ ID NO. 435 UCAGGCCGGGACAAGUGCAAUA mmu-miR-93 SEQ ID NO. 130 CAAAGUGCUGUUCGUGCAGGUA SEQ ID NO. 436 UACCUGCACGAACAGCACUUUG rno-miR-327 SEQ ID NO. 131 CCUUGAGGGGCAUGAGGGUAGU SEQ ID NO. 437 ACUACCCUCAUGCCCCUCAAGG rno-miR-333 SEQ ID NO. 132 GUGGUGUGCUAGUUACUUUUGG SEQ ID NO. 438 CCAAAAGUAACUAGCACACCAC rno-miR-335 SEQ ID NO. 133 UCAAGAGCAAUAACGAAAAAUG SEQ ID NO. 439 CAUUUUUCGUUAUUGCUCUUGA rno-miR-336 SEQ ID NO. 134 UCACCCUUCCAUAUCUAGUCUC SEQ ID NO. 440 GAGACUAGAUAUGGAAGGGUGA rno-miR-343 SEQ ID NO. 135 UCUCCCUCCGUGUGCCCAGUAU SEQ ID NO. 441 AUACUGGGCACACGGAGGGAGA rno-miR-347 SEQ ID NO. 136 UGUCCCUCUGGGUCGCCCAGCU SEQ ID NO. 442 AGCUGGGCGACCCAGAGGGACA rno-miR-349 SEQ ID NO. 137 CAGCCCUGCUGUCUUAACCUCU SEQ ID NO. 443 AGAGGUUAAGACAGCAGGGCUG rno-miR-352 SEQ ID NO. 138 AGAGUAGUAGGUUGCAUAGUAC SEQ ID NO. 444 GUACUAUGCAACCUACUACUCU

TABLE 2 Novel Human microRNA and anti-microRNA sequences. microRNA name microRNA sequence (5′ to 3′) Anti-microRNA molecule sequence (5′ to 3′) hsa-miR-361 SEQ ID NO. 139 UUAUCAGAAUCUCCAGGGGUAC SEQ ID NO. 445 GUACCCCUGGAGAUUCUGAUAA hsa-miR-362 SEQ ID NO. 140 AAUCCUUGGAACCUAGGUGUGA SEQ ID NO. 446 UCACACCUAGGUUCCAAGGAUU hsa-miR-363 SEQ ID NO. 141 AUUGCACGGUAUCCAUCUGUAA SEQ ID NO. 447 UUACAGAUGGAUACCGUGCAAU hsa-miR-364 SEQ ID NO. 142 CGGCGGGGACGGCGAUUGGUCC SEQ ID NO. 448 GGACCAAUCGCCGUCCCCGCCG hsa-miR-365 SEQ ID NO. 143 UAAUGCCCCUAAAAAUCCUUAU SEQ ID NO. 449 AUAAGGAUUUUUAGGGGCAUUA hsa-miR-366 SEQ ID NO. 144 UAACUGGUUGAACAACUGAACC SEQ ID NO. 450 GGUUCAGUUGUUCAACCAGUUA

TABLE 3 C. elegans microRNA and anti-microRNA sequences. microRNA name microRNA sequence (5′ to 3′) Anti-microRNA molecule sequence (5′ to 3′) Cel-let-7 SEQ ID NO. 145 UGAGGUAGUAGGUUGUAUAGUU SEQ ID NO. 451 AACUAUACAACCUACUACCUCA Cel-lin-4 SEQ ID NO. 146 UCCCUGAGACCUCAAGUGUGAG SEQ ID NO. 452 CUCACACUUGAGGUCUCAGGGA Cel-miR-1 SEQ ID NO. 147 UGGAAUGUAAAGAAGUAUGUAG SEQ ID NO. 453 CUACAUACUUCUUUACAUUCCA Cel-miR-2 SEQ ID NO. 148 UAUCACAGCCAGCUUUGAUGUG SEQ ID NO. 454 CACAUCAAAGCUGGCUGUGAUA Cel-miR-34 SEQ ID NO. 149 AGGCAGUGUGGUUAGCUGGUUG SEQ ID NO. 455 CAACCAGCUAACCACACUGCCU Cel-miR-35 SEQ ID NO. 150 UCACCGGGUGGAAACUAGCAGU SEQ ID NO. 456 ACUGCUAGUUUCCACCCGGUGA Cel-miR-36 SEQ ID NO. 151 UCACCGGGUGAAAAUUCGCAUG SEQ ID NO. 457 CAUGCGAAUUUUCACCCGGUGA Cel-miR-37 SEQ ID NO. 152 UCACCGGGUGAACACUUGCAGU SEQ ID NO. 458 ACUGCAAGUGUUCACCCGGUGA Cel-miR-38 SEQ ID NO. 153 UCACCGGGAGAAAAACUGGAGU SEQ ID NO. 459 ACUCCAGUUUUUCUCCCGGUGA Cel-miR-39 SEQ ID NO. 154 UCACCGGGUGUAAAUCAGCUUG SEQ ID NO. 460 CAAGCUGAUUUACACCCGGUGA Cel-miR-40 SEQ ID NO. 155 UCACCGGGUGUACAUCAGCUAA SEQ ID NO. 461 UUAGCUGAUGUACACCCGGUGA Cel-miR-41 SEQ ID NO. 156 UCACCGGGUGAAAAAUCACCUA SEQ ID NO. 462 UAGGUGAUUUUUCACCCGGUGA Cel-miR-42 SEQ ID NO. 157 CACCGGGUUAACAUCUACAGAG SEQ ID NO. 463 CUCUGUAGAUGUUAACCCGGUG Cel-miR-43 SEQ ID NO. 158 UAUCACAGUUUACUUGCUGUCG SEQ ID NO. 464 CGACAGCAAGUAAACUGUGAUA Cel-miR-44 SEQ ID NO. 159 UGACUAGAGACACAUUCAGCUU SEQ ID NO. 465 AAGCUGAAUGUGUCUCUAGUCA Cel-miR-45 SEQ ID NO. 160 UGACUAGAGACACAUUCAGCUU SEQ ID NO. 466 AAGCUGAAUGUGUCUCUAGUCA Cel-miR-46 SEQ ID NO. 161 UGUCAUGGAGUCGCUCUCUUCA SEQ ID NO. 467 UGAAGAGAGCGACUCCAUGACA Cel-miR-47 SEQ ID NO. 162 UGUCAUGGAGGCGCUCUCUUCA SEQ ID NO. 468 UGAAGAGAGCGCCUCCAUGACA Cel-miR-48 SEQ ID NO. 163 UGAGGUAGGCUCAGUAGAUGCG SEQ ID NO. 469 CGCAUCUACUGAGCCUACCUCA Cel-miR-49 SEQ ID NO. 164 AAGCACCACGAGAAGCUGCAGA SEQ ID NO. 470 UCUGCAGCUUCUCGUGGUGCUU Cel-miR-50 SEQ ID NO. 165 UGAUAUGUCUGGUAUUCUUGGG SEQ ID NO. 471 CCCAAGAAUACCAGACAUAUCA Cel-miR-51 SEQ ID NO. 166 UACCCGUAGCUCCUAUCCAUGU SEQ ID NO. 472 ACAUGGAUAGGAGCUACGGGUA Cel-miR-52 SEQ ID NO. 167 CACCCGUACAUAUGUUUCCGUG SEQ ID NO. 473 CACGGAAACAUAUGUACGGGUG Cel-miR-53 SEQ ID NO. 168 CACCCGUACAUUUGUUUCCGUG SEQ ID NO. 474 CACGGAAACAAAUGUACGGGUG Cel-miR-54 SEQ ID NO. 169 UACCCGUAAUCUUCAUAAUCCG SEQ ID NO. 475 CGGAUUAUGAAGAUUACGGGUA Cel-miR-55 SEQ ID NO. 170 UACCCGUAUAAGUUUCUGCUGA SEQ ID NO. 476 UCAGCAGAAACUUAUACGGGUA Cel-miR-56 SEQ ID NO. 171 UACCCGUAAUGUUUCCGCUGAG SEQ ID NO. 477 CUCAGCGGAAACAUUACGGGUA Cel-miR-57 SEQ ID NO. 172 UACCCUGUAGAUCGAGCUGUGU SEQ ID NO. 478 ACACAGCUCGAUCUACAGGGUA Cel-miR-58 SEQ ID NO. 173 UGAGAUCGUUCAGUACGGCAAU SEQ ID NO. 479 AUUGCCGUACUGAACGAUCUCA Cel-miR-59 SEQ ID NO. 174 UCGAAUCGUUUAUCAGGAUGAU SEQ ID NO. 480 AUCAUCCUGAUAAACGAUUCGA Cel-miR-60 SEQ ID NO. 175 UAUUAUGCACAUUUUCUAGUUC SEQ ID NO. 481 GAACUAGAAAAUGUGCAUAAUA Cel-miR-61 SEQ ID NO. 176 UGACUAGAACCGUUACUCAUCU SEQ ID NO. 482 AGAUGAGUAACGGUUCUAGUCA Cel-miR-62 SEQ ID NO. 177 UGAUAUGUAAUCUAGCUUACAG SEQ ID NO. 483 CUGUAAGCUAGAUUACAUAUCA Cel-miR-63 SEQ ID NO. 178 AUGACACUGAAGCGAGUUGGAA SEQ ID NO. 484 UUCCAACUCGCUUCAGUGUCAU Cel-miR-64 SEQ ID NO. 179 UAUGACACUGAAGCGUAACCGA SEQ ID NO. 485 UCGGUAACGCUUCAGUGUCAUA Cel-miR-65 SEQ ID NO. 180 UAUGACACUGAAGCGUAACCGA SEQ ID NO. 486 UCGGUUACGCUUCAGUGUCAUA Cel-miR-66 SEQ ID NO. 181 CAUGACACUGAUUAGGGAUGUG SEQ ID NO. 487 CACAUCCCUAAUCAGUGUCAUG Cel-miR-67 SEQ ID NO. 182 UCACAACCUCCUAGAAAGAGUA SEP ID NO. 488 UACUCUUUCUAGGAGGUUGUGA Cel-miR-68 SEQ ID NO. 183 UCGAAGACUCAAAAGUGUAGAC SEQ ID NO. 489 GUCUACACUUUUGAGUCUUCGA Cel-miR-69 SEQ ID NO. 184 UCGAAAAUUAAAAAGUGUAGAA SEQ ID NO. 490 UUCUACACUUUUUAAUUUUCGA Cel-miR-70 SEQ ID NO. 185 UAAUACGUCGUUGGUGUUUCCA SEQ ID NO. 491 UGGAAACACCAACGACGUAUUA Cel-miR-71 SEQ ID NO. 186 UGAAAGACAUGGGUAGUGAACG SEQ ID NO. 492 CGUUCACUACCCAUGUCUUUCA Cel-miR-72 SEQ ID NO. 187 AGGCAAGAUGUUGGCAUAGCUG SEQ ID NO. 493 CAGCUAUGCCAACAUCUUGCCU Cel-miR-73 SEQ ID NO. 188 UGGCAAGAUGUAGGCAGUUCAG SEQ ID NO. 494 CUGAACUGCCUACAUCUUGCCA Cel-miR-74 SEQ ID NO. 189 UGGCAAGAAAUGGCAGUCUACA SEQ ID NO. 495 UGUAGACUGCCAUUUCUUGCCA Cel-miR-75 SEQ ID NO. 190 UUAAAGCUACCAACCGGCUUCA SEQ ID NO. 496 UGAAGCCGGUUGGUAGCUUUAA Cel-miR-76 SEQ ID NO. 191 UUCGUUGUUGAUGAAGCCUUGA SEQ ID NO. 497 UCAAGGCUUCAUCAACAACGAA Cel-miR-77 SEQ ID NO. 192 UUCAUCAGGCCAUAGCUGUCCA SEQ ID NO. 498 UGGACAGCUAUGGCCUGAUGAA Cel-miR-78 SEQ ID NO. 193 UGGAGGCCUGGUUGUUUGUGCU SEQ ID NO. 499 AGCACAAACAACCAGGCCUCCA Cel-miR-79 SEQ ID NO. 194 AUAAAGCUAGGUUACCAAAGCU SEQ ID NO. 500 AGCUUUGGUAACCUAGCUUUAU Cel-miR-227 SEQ ID NO. 195 AGCUUUCGACAUGAUUCUGAAC SEQ ID NO. 501 GUUCAGAAUCAUGUCGAAAGCU Cel-miR-80 SEQ ID NO. 196 UGAGAUCAUUAGUUGAAAGCCG SEQ ID NO. 502 CGGCUUUCAACUAAUGAUCUCA Cel-miR-81 SEQ ID NO. 197 UGAGAUCAUCGUGAAAGCUAGU SEQ ID NO. 503 ACUAGCUUUCACGAUGAUCUCA Cel-miR-82 SEQ ID NO. 198 UGAGAUCAUCGUGAAAGCCAGU SEQ ID NO. 504 ACUGGCUUUCACGAUGAUCUCA Cel-miR-83 SEQ ID NO. 199 UAGCACCAUAUAAAUUCAGUAA SEQ ID NO. 505 UUACUGAAUUUAUAUGGUGCUA Cel-miR-84 SEQ ID NO. 200 UGAGGUAGUAUGUAAUAUUGUA SEQ ID NO. 506 UACAAUAUUACAUACUACCUCA Cel-miR-85 SEQ ID NO. 201 UACAAAGUAUUUGAAAAGUCGU SEQ ID NO. 507 ACGACUUUUCAAAUACUUUGUA Cel-miR-86 SEQ ID NO. 202 UAAGUGAAUGCUUUGCCACAGU SEQ ID NO. 508 ACUGUGGCAAAGCAUUCACUUA Cel-miR-87 SEQ ID NO. 203 GUGAGCAAAGUUUCAGGUGUGC SEQ ID NO. 509 GCACACCUGAAACUUUGCUCAC Cel-miR-90 SEQ ID NO. 204 UGAUAUGUUGUUUGAAUGCCCC SEQ ID NO. 510 GGGGCAUUCAAACAACAUAUCA Cel-miR-124 SEQ ID NO. 205 UAAGGCACGCGGUGAAUGCCAC SEQ ID NO. 511 GUGGCAUUCACCGCGUGCCUUA Cel-miR-228 SEQ ID NO. 206 AAUGGCACUGCAUGAAUUCACG SEQ ID NO. 512 CGUGAAUUCAUGCAGUGCCAUU Cel-miR-229 SEQ ID NO. 207 AAUGACACUGGUUAUCUUUUCC SEQ ID NO. 513 GGAAAAGAUAACCAGUGUCAUU Cel-miR-230 SEQ ID NO. 208 GUAUUAGUUGUGCGACCAGGAG SEQ ID NO. 514 CUCCUGGUCGCACAACUAAUAC Cel-miR-231 SEQ ID NO. 209 UAAGCUCGUGAUCAACAGGCAG SEQ ID NO. 515 CUGCCUGUUGAUCACGAGCUUA Cel-miR-232 SEQ ID NO. 210 UAAAUGCAUCUUAACUGCGGUG SEQ ID NO. 516 CACCGCAGUUAAGAUGCAUUUA Cel-miR-233 SEQ ID NO. 211 UUGAGCAAUGCGCAUGUGCGGG SEQ ID NO. 517 CCCGCACAUGCGCAUUGCUCAA Cel-miR-234 SEQ ID NO. 212 UUAUUGCUCGAGAAUACCCUUU SEQ ID NO. 518 AAAGGGUAUUCUCGAGCAAUAA Cel-miR-235 SEQ ID NO. 213 UAUUGCACUCUCCCCGGCCUGA SEQ ID NO. 519 UCAGGCCGGGGAGAGUGCAAUA Cel-miR-236 SEQ ID NO. 214 UAAUACUGUCAGGUAAUGACGC SEQ ID NO. 520 GCGUCAUUACCUGACAGUAUUA Cel-miR-237 SEQ ID NO. 215 UCCCUGAGAAUUCUCGAACAGC SEQ ID NO. 521 GCUGUUCGAGAAUUCUCAGGGA Cel-miR-238 SEQ ID NO. 216 UUUGUACUCCGAUGCCAUUCAG SEQ ID NO. 522 CUGAAUGGCAUCGGAGUACAAA Cel-miR-239a SEQ ID NO. 217 UUUGUACUACACAUAGGUACUG SEQ ID NO. 523 CAGUACCUAUGUGUAGUACAAA Cel-miR-239b SEQ ID NO. 218 UUUGUACUACACAAAAGUACUG SEQ ID NO. 524 CAGUACUUUUGUGUAGUACAAA Cel-miR-240 SEQ ID NO. 219 UACUGGCCCCCAAAUCUUCGCU SEQ ID NO. 525 AGCGAAGAUUUGGGGGCCAGUA Cel-miR-241 SEQ ID NO. 220 UGAGGUAGGUGCGAGAAAUGAC SEQ ID NO. 526 GUCAUUUCUCGCACCUACCUCA Cel-miR-242 SEQ ID NO. 221 UUGCGUAGGCCUUUGCUUCGAG SEQ ID NO. 527 CUCGAAGCAAAGGCCUACGCAA Cel-miR-243 SEQ ID NO. 222 CGGUACGAUCGCGGCGGGAUAU SEQ ID NO. 528 AUAUCCCGCCGCGAUCGUACCG Cel-miR-244 SEQ ID NO. 223 UCUUUGGUUGUACAAAGUGGUA SEQ ID NO. 529 UACCACUUUGUACAACCAAAGA Cel-miR-245 SEQ ID NO. 224 AUUGGUCCCCUCCAAGUAGCUC SEQ ID NO. 530 GAGCUACUUGGAGGGGACCAAU Cel-miR-246 SEQ ID NO. 225 UUACAUGUUUCGGGUAGGAGCU SEQ ID NO. 531 AGCUCCUACCCGAAACAUGUAA Cel-miR-247 SEQ ID NO. 226 UGACUAGAGCCUAUUCUCUUCU SEQ ID NO. 532 AGAAGAGAAUAGGCUCUAGUCA Cel-miR-248 SEQ ID NO. 227 UACACGUGCACGGAUAACGCUC SEQ ID NO. 533 GAGCGUUAUCCGUGCACGUGUA Cel-miR-249 SEQ ID NO. 228 UCACAGGACUUUUGAGCGUUGC SEQ ID NO. 534 GCAACGCUCAAAAGUCCUGUGA Cel-miR-250 SEQ ID NO. 229 UCACAGUCAACUGUUGGCAUGG SEQ ID NO. 535 CCAUGCCAACAGUUGACUGUGA Cel-miR-251 SEQ ID NO. 230 UUAAGUAGUGGUGCCGCUCUUA SEQ ID NO. 536 UAAGAGCGGCACCACUACUUAA Cel-miR-252 SEQ ID NO. 231 UAAGUAGUAGUGCCGCAGGUAA SEQ ID NO. 537 UUACCUGCGGCACUACUACUUA Cel-miR-253 SEQ ID NO. 232 CACACCUCACUAACACUGACCA SEQ ID NO. 538 UGGUCAGUGUUAGUGAGGUGUG Cel-miR-254 SEQ ID NO. 233 UGCAAAUCUUUCGCGACUGUAG SEQ ID NO. 539 CUACAGUCGCGAAAGAUUUGCA Cel-miR-256 SEQ ID NO. 234 UGGAAUGCAUAGAAGACUGUAC SEQ ID NO. 540 GUACAGUCUUCUAUGCAUUCCA Cel-miR-257 SEQ ID NO. 235 GAGUAUCAGGAGUACCCAGUGA SEQ ID NO. 541 UCACUGGGUACUCCUGAUACUC Cel-miR-258 SEQ ID NO. 236 GGUUUUGAGAGGAAUCCUUUUA SEQ ID NO. 542 UAAAAGGAUUCCUCUCAAAACC Cel-miR-259 SEQ ID NO. 237 AGUAAAUCUCAUCCUAAUCUGG SEQ ID NO. 543 CCAGAUUAGGAUGAGAUUUACU Cel-miR-260 SEQ ID NO. 238 GUGAUGUCGAACUCUUGUAGGA SEQ ID NO. 544 UCCUACAAGAGUUCGACAUCAC Cel-miR-261 SEQ ID NO. 239 UAGCUUUUUAGUUUUCACGGUG SEQ ID NO. 545 CACCGUGAAAACUAAAAAGCUA CeI-miR-262 SEQ ID NO. 240 GUUUCUCGAUGUUUUCUGAUAC SEQ ID NO. 546 GUAUCAGAAAACAUCGAGAAAC Cel-miR-264 SEQ ID NO. 241 GGCGGGUGGUUGUUGUUAUGGG SEQ ID NO. 547 CCCAUAACAACAACCACCCGCC Cel-miR-265 SEQ ID NO. 242 UGAGGGAGGAAGGGUGGUAUUU SEQ ID NO. 548 AAAUACCACCCUUCCUCCCUCA Cel-miR-266 SEQ ID NO. 243 AGGCAAGACUUUGGCAAAGCUU SEQ ID NO. 549 AAGCUUUGCCAAAGUCUUGCCU Cel-miR-267 SEQ ID NO. 244 CCCGUGAAGUGUCUGCUGCAAU SEQ ID NO. 550 AUUGCAGCAGACACUUCACGGG Cel-miR-268 SEQ ID NO. 245 GGCAAGAAUUAGAAGCAGUUUG SEQ ID NO. 551 CAAACUGCUUCUAAUUCUUGCC Cel-miR-269 SEQ ID NO. 246 GGCAAGACUCUGGCAAAACUUG SEQ ID NO. 552 CAAGUUUUGCCAGAGUCUUGCC Cel-miR-270 SEQ ID NO. 247 GGCAUGAUGUAGCAGUGGAGAU SEQ ID NO. 553 AUCUCCACUGCUACAUCAUGCC Cel-miR-271 SEQ ID NO. 248 UCGCCGGGUGGGAAAGCAUUCG SEQ ID NO. 554 CGAAUGCUUUCCCACCCGGCGA Cel-miR-272 SEQ ID NO. 249 UGUAGGCAUGGGUGUUUGGAAG SEQ ID NO. 555 CUUCCAAACACCCAUGCCUACA Cel-miR-273 SEQ ID NO. 250 UGCCCGUACUGUGUCGGCUGCU SEQ ID NO. 556 AGCAGCCGACACAGUACGGGCA

TABLE 4 Drosophila microRNA and anti-microRNA sequences. microRNA name microRNA sequence (5′ to 3′) Anti-microRNA molecule sequence (5′ to 3′) Dme-miR-263a SEQ ID NO. 251 GUUAAUGGCACUGGAAGAAUUC SEQ ID NO. 557 GAAUUCUUCCAGUGCCAUUAAC Dme-miR-184 SEQ ID NO. 252 UGGACGGAGAACUGAUAAGGGC SEQ ID NO. 558 GCCCUUAUCAGUUCUCCGUCCA Dme-miR-274 SEQ ID NO. 253 UUUUGUGACCGACACUAACGGG SEQ ID NO. 559 CCCGUUAGUGUCGGUCACAAAA Dme-miR-275 SEQ ID NO. 254 UCAGGUACCUGAAGUAGCGCGC SEQ ID NO. 560 GCGCGCUACUUCAGGUACCUGA Dme-miR-92a SEQ ID NO. 255 CAUUGCACUUGUCCCGGCCUAU SEQ ID NO. 561 AUAGGCCGGGACAAGUGCAAUG Dme-miR-219 SEQ ID NO. 256 UGAUUGUCCAAACGCAAUUCUU SEQ ID NO. 562 AAGAAUUGCGUUUGGACAAUCA Dme-miR-276a SEQ ID NO. 257 UAGGAACUUCAUACCGUGCUCU SEQ ID NO. 563 AGAGCACGGUAUGAAGUUCCUA Dme-miR-277 SEQ ID NO. 258 UAAAUGCACUAUCUGGUACGAC SEQ ID NO. 564 GUCGUACCAGAUAGUGCAUUUA Dme-miR-278 SEQ ID NO. 259 UCGGUGGGACUUUCGUCCGUUU SEQ ID NO. 565 AAACGGACGAAAGUCCCACCGA Dme-miR-133 SEQ ID NO. 260 UUGGUCCCCUUCAACCAGCUGU SEQ ID NO. 566 ACAGCUGGUUGAAGGGGACCAA Dme-miR-279 SEQ ID NO. 261 UGACUAGAUCCACACUCAUUAA SEQ ID NO. 567 UUAAUGAGUGUGGAUCUAGUCA Dme-miR-33 SEQ ID NO. 262 AGGUGCAUUGUAGUCGCAUUGU SEQ ID NO. 568 ACAAUGCGACUACAAUGCACCU Dme-miR-280 SEQ ID NO. 263 UGUAUUUACGUUGCAUAUGAAA SEQ ID NO. 569 UUUCAUAUGCAACGUAAAUACA Dme-miR-281 SEQ ID NO. 264 UGUCAUGGAAUUGCUCUCUUUG SEQ ID NO. 570 CAAAGAGAGCAAUUCCAUGACA Dme-miR-282 SEQ ID NO. 265 AAUCUAGCCUCUACUAGGCUUU SEQ ID NO. 571 AAAGCCUAGUAGAGGCUAGAUU Dme-miR-283 SEQ ID NO. 266 UAAAUAUCAGCUGGUAAUUCUG SEQ ID NO. 572 CAGAAUUACCAGCUGAUAUUUA Dme-miR-284 SEQ ID NO. 267 UGAAGUCAGCAACUUGAUUCCA SEQ ID NO. 573 UGGAAUCAAGUUGCUGACUUCA Dme-miR-34 SEQ ID NO. 268 UGGCAGUGUGGUUAGCUGGUUG SEQ ID NO. 574 CAACCAGCUAACCACACUGCCA Dme-miR-124 SEQ ID NO. 269 UAAGGCACGCGGUGAAUGCCAA SEQ ID NO. 575 UUGGCAUUCACCGCGUGCCUUA Dme-miR-79 SEQ ID NO. 270 UAAAGCUAGAUUACCAAAGCAU SEQ ID NO. 576 AUGCUUUGGUAAUCUAGCUUUA Dme-miR-276b SEQ ID NO. 271 UAGGAACUUAAUACCGUGCUCU SEQ ID NO. 577 AGAGCACGGUAUUAAGUUCCUA Dme-miR-210 SEQ ID NO. 272 UUGUGCGUGUGACAGCGGCUAU SEQ ID NO. 578 AUAGCCGCUGUCACACGCACAA Dme-miR-285 SEQ ID NO. 273 UAGCACCAUUCGAAAUCAGUGC SEQ ID NO. 579 GCACUGAUUUCGAAUGGUGCUA Dme-miR-100 SEQ ID NO. 274 AACCCGUAAAUCCGAACUUGUG SEQ ID NO. 580 CACAAGUUCGGAUUUACGGGUU Dme-miR-92b SEQ ID NO. 275 AAUUGCACUAGUCCCGGCCUGC SEQ ID NO. 581 GCAGGCCGGGACUAGUGCAAUU Dme-miR-286 SEQ ID NO. 276 UGACUAGACCGAACACUCGUGC SEQ ID NO. 582 GCACGAGUGUUCGGUCUAGUCA Dme-miR-287 SEQ ID NO. 277 UGUGUUGAAAAUCGUUUGCACG SEQ ID NO. 583 CGUGCAAACGAUUUUCAACACA Dme-miR-87 SEQ ID NO. 278 UUGAGCAAAAUUUCAGGUGUGU SEQ ID NO. 584 ACACACCUGAAAUUUUGCUCAA Dme-miR-263b SEQ ID NO. 279 CUUGGCACUGGGAGAAUUCACA SEQ ID NO. 585 UGUGAAUUCUCCCAGUGCCAAG Dme-miR-288 SEQ ID NO. 280 UUUCAUGUCGAUUUCAUUUCAU SEQ ID NO. 586 AUGAAAUGAAAUCGACAUGAAA Dme-miR-289 SEQ ID NO. 281 UAAAUAUUUAAGUGGAGCCUGC SEQ ID NO. 587 GCAGGCUCCACUUAAAUAUUUA Dme-bantam SEQ ID NO. 282 UGAGAUCAUUUUGAAAGCUGAU SEQ ID NO. 588 AUCAGCUUUCAAAAUGAUCUCA Dme-miR-303 SEQ ID NO. 283 UUUAGGUUUCACAGGAAACUGG SEQ ID NO. 589 CCAGUUUCCUGUGAAACCUAAA Dme-miR-31b SEQ ID NO. 284 UGGCAAGAUGUCGGAAUAGCUG SEQ ID NO. 590 CAGCUAUUCCGACAUCUUGCCA Dme-miR-304 SEQ ID NO. 285 UAAUCUCAAUUUGUAAAUGUGA SEQ ID NO. 591 UCACAUUUACAAAUUGAGAUUA Dme-miR-305 SEQ ID NO. 286 AUUGUACUUCAUCAGGUGCUCU SEQ ID NO. 592 AGAGCACCUGAUGAAGUACAAU Dme-miR-9c SEQ ID NO. 287 UCUUUGGUAUUCUAGCUGUAGA SEQ ID NO. 593 UCUACAGCUAGAAUACCAAAGA Dme-miR-306 SEQ ID NO. 288 UCAGGUACUUAGUGACUCUCAA SEQ ID NO. 594 UUGAGAGUCACUAAGUACCUGA Dme-miR-9b SEQ ID NO. 289 UCUUUGGUGAUUUUAGCUGUAU SEQ ID NO. 595 AUACAGCUAAAAUCACCAAAGA Dme-miR-125 SEQ ID NO. 290 UCCCUGAGACCCUAACUUGUGA SEQ ID NO. 596 UCACAAGUUAGGGUCUCAGGGA Dme-miR-307 SEQ ID NO. 291 UCACAACCUCCUUGAGUGAGCG SEQ ID NO. 597 CGCUCACUCAAGGAGGUUGUGA Dme-miR-308 SEQ ID NO. 292 AAUCACAGGAUUAUACUGUGAG SEQ ID NO. 598 CUCACAGUAUAAUCCUGUGAUU dme-miR-31a SEQ ID NO. 293 UGGCAAGAUGUCGGCAUAGCUG SEQ ID NO. 599 CAGCUAUGCCGACAUCUUGCCA dme-miR-309 SEQ ID NO. 294 GCACUGGGUAAAGUUUGUCCUA SEQ ID NO. 600 UAGGACAAACUUUACCCAGUGC dme-miR-310 SEQ ID NO. 295 UAUUGCACACUUCCCGGCCUUU SEQ ID NO. 601 AAAGGCCGGGAAGUGUGCAAUA dme-miR-311 SEQ ID NO. 296 UAUUGCACAUUCACCGGCCUGA SEQ ID NO. 602 UCAGGCCGGUGAAUGUGCAAUA dme-miR-312 SEQ ID NO. 297 UAUUGCACUUGAGACGGCCUGA SEQ ID NO. 603 UCAGGCCGUCUCAAGUGCAAUA dme-miR-313 SEQ ID NO. 298 UAUUGCACUUUUCACAGCCCGA SEQ ID NO. 604 UCGGGCUGUGAAAAGUGCAAUA dme-miR-314 SEQ ID NO. 299 UAUUCGAGCCAAUAAGUUCGG SEQ ID NO. 605 CCGAACUUAUUGGCUCGAAUA dme-miR-315 SEQ ID NO. 300 UUUUGAUUGUUGCUCAGAAAGC SEQ ID NO. 606 GCUUUCUGAGCAACAAUCAAAA dme-miR-316 SEQ ID NO. 301 UGUCUUUUUCCGCUUACUGGCG SEQ ID NO. 607 CGCCAGUAAGCGGAAAAAGACA dme-miR-317 SEQ ID NO. 302 UGAACACAGCUGGUGGUAUCCA SEQ ID NO. 608 UGGAUACCACCAGCUGUGUUCA dme-miR-318 SEQ ID NO. 303 UCACUGGGCUUUGUUUAUCUCA SEQ ID NO. 609 UGAGAUAAACAAAGCCCAGUGA dme-miR-2c SEQ ID NO. 304 UAUCACAGCCAGCUUUGAUGGG SEQ ID NO. 610 CCCAUCAAAGCUGGCUGUGAUA Dme-miR-iab45p SEQ ID NO. 305 ACGUAUACUGAAUGUAUCCUGA SEQ ID NO. 611 UCAGGAUACAUUCAGUAUACGU Dme-miR-iab43p SEQ ID NO. 306 CGGUAUACCUUCAGUAUACGUA SEQ ID NO. 612 UACGUAUACUGAAGGUAUACCG

EXAMPLES Example 1 Materials and Methods

Oligonucleotide Synthesis

MiR-21 were synthesized using 5′-silyl, 2′-ACE phosphoramidites (Dharmacon, Lafayette, Colo., USA) on 0.2 μmol synthesis columns using a modified ABI 394 synthesizer (Foster City, Calif., USA) (Scaringe, Methods Enzymol. 317, 3-18 (2001) and Scaringe, Methods 23, 206-217 (2001)). The phosphate methyl group was removed by flushing the column with 2 ml of 0.2 M 2-carbamoyl-2-cyanoethylene-1,1-dithiolate trihydrate in DMF/water (98:2 v/v) for min at room temperature. The reagent was removed and the column rinsed with 10 ml water followed by 10 ml acetonitrile. The oligonucleotide was cleaved and eluted from the solid support by flushing with 1.6 ml of 40% aqueous methylamine over 2 min, collected in a screwcap vial and incubated for 10 min at 55° C. Subsequently, the base-treated oligonucleotide was dried down in an Eppendorf concentrator to remove methylamine and water. The residue was dissolved in sterile 2′-deprotection buffer (400 μl of 100 mM acetate-TEMED, pH 3.8, for a 0.2 mol scale synthesis) and incubated for 30 minutes at 60° C. to remove the 2′ ACE group. The oligoribonucleotide was precipitated from the acetate-TEMED solution by adding 24 μl 15 M NaCl and 1.2 ml of absolute ethanol.

2′-O-Methyl oligoribonucleotides were synthesized using 5′-DMT, 2′-O-methyl phosphoramidites (Proligo, Hamburg, Germany) on 1 μmol synthesis columns loaded with 3′-aminomodifier (TFA) C7 Icaa control pore glass support (Chemgenes, Mass., USA). The aminolinker was added in order to also use the oligonucleotides for conjugation to amino group reactive reagents, such as biotin succinimidyl esters. The synthesis products were deprotected for 16 h at 55° C. in 30% aqueous ammonia and then precipitated by the addition of 12 ml absolute 1-butanol. The full-length product was then gel-purified using a denaturing 20% polyacrylamide gel. 2′-Deoxyoligonucleotides were prepared using 0.2 μmol scale synthesis and standard DNA synthesis reagents (Proligo, Hamburg, Germany).

The sequences of the 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides were 5′-GUCAACAUCAGUCUGAUAAGCUAL (L, 3′ aminolinker) for 2′-OMe miR-21 (SEQ ID NO. 613), and 5′-AAGGCAAGCUGACCCUGAAGUL for EGFP 2′-OMe antisense (SEQ ID NO. 614), 5′-UGAAGUCCCAGUCGAACGGAAL for EGFP 2′-OMe reverse (SEQ ID NO. 615); the sequence of chimeric 2′-OMe/DNA oligonucleotides was 5′-GTCAACATCAGTCTGATAAGCTAGCGL for 2′-deoxy miR-21 (underlined, 2′-OMe residues) (SEQ ID NO. 616), and 5′-AAGGCAAGCTGACCCTGAAGTGCGL for EGFP 2′-deoxy antisense (SEQ ID NO. 617).

The miR-21 cleavage substrate was prepared by PCR-based extension of the partially complementary synthetic DNA oligonucleotides 5′-GAACAATTGCTTTTACAGATGCACATATCGAGGTGAACATCACGTACGTCAACATCA GTCTGATAAGCTATCGGTTGGCAGAAGCTAT (SEQ ID NO. 618) and 5′-GGCATAAAGAATTGAAGAGAGTTTTCACTGCATACGACGATTCTGTGATTTGTATTC AGCCCATATCGTTTCATAGCTTCTGCCAACCGA (SEQ ID NO. 619). The extended dsDNA was then used as template for a new PCR with primers 5′-TAATACGACTCACTATAGAACAATTGCTTTTACAG (SEQ ID NO. 620) and 5′-ATTTAGGTGACACTATAGGCATAAAGAATTGAAGA (SEQ ID NO. 621) to introduce the T7 and SP6 promoter sequences for in vitro transcription. The PCR product was ligated into pCR2.1-TOPO (Invitrogen). Plasmids isolated from sequence-verified clones were used as templates for PCR to produce sufficient template for run-off in vitro transcription reactions using phage RNA polymerases (Elbashir et al., EMBO 20, 6877-6888 (2001)). ³²P-Cap-labelling was performed as reported (Martinez et al., Cell 110, 563-574 (2002)).

Plasmids

Plasmids pEGFP-S-21 and pEGFP-A-21 were generated by T4 DNA ligation of preannealed oligodeoxynucleotides 5′-GGCCTCAACATCAGTCTGATAAGCTAGGTACCT (SEQ ID NO. 622) and 5′-GGCCAGGTACCTAGCTTATCAGACTGATGTTGA (SEQ ID NO. 623) into NotI digested pEGFP-N-1 (Clontech). The plasmid pHcRed-C1 was from Clontech.

Hela Extracts and miR-21 Quantification

HeLa cell extracts were prepared as described (Dignam et al., Nucleic Acid Res. 11 1475-1489 (1983)). 5×10⁹ cells from HeLa suspension cultures were collected by centrifugation and washed with PBS (pH7.4). The cell pellet (approx. 15 ml) was re-suspended in two times of its volume with 10 mM KCl/1.5 mM MgCl₂/0.5 mM dithiothreitol/10 mM HEPES-KOH (pH 7.9) and homogenized by douncing. The nuclei were then removed by centrifugation of the cell lysate at 1000 g for 10 min. The supernatant was spun in an ultracentrifuge for 1 h at 10,5000 g to obtain the cytoplasmic S100 extract. The concentration of KCl of the S100 extract was subsequently raised to 100 mM by the addition of 1 M KCl. The extract was then supplemented with 10% glycerol and frozen in liquid nitrogen.

280 μg of total RNA was isolated from 1 ml of S100 extract using the acidic guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform extraction method (Chomczynski et al., Anal. Biochem. 162, 156-159 (1987)). A calibration curve for miR-21 Northern signals was produced by loading increasing amounts (10 to 30000 pg) of synthetically made miR-21 (Lim et al. et al., Genes & Devel. 17, 991-1008 (2003)). Northern blot analysis was performed as described using 30 μg of total RNA per well (Lagos-Quintana et al., Science 294, 853-858 (2001)).

In Vitro miRNA Cleavage and Inhibition Assay

2′-O-Methyl oligoribonucleotides or 2′-deoxyoligonucleotides were pre-incubated with HeLa S100 at 30° C. for 20 min prior to the addition of the cap-labeled miR-21 target RNA. The concentration of the reaction components were 5 nM target RNA, 1 mM ATP, 0.2 mM GTP, 10 U/ml RNasin (Promega) and 50% HeLa S100 extract in a final reaction volume of 25 μl. The reaction time was 1.5 h at 30° C. The reaction was stopped by addition of 200 μl of 300 mM NaCl/25 mM EDTA/20% w/v SDS/200 mM Tris HCl (pH7.5). Subsequently, proteinase K was added to a final concentration of 0.6 mg/ml and the sample was incubated for 15 min at 65° C. After phenol/chloroform extraction, the RNA was ethanol-precipitated and separated on a 6% denaturing polyacrylamide gel. Radioactivity was detected by phosphorimaging.

Cell Culture and Transfection

HeLa S3 and HeLa S3/GFP were grown in 5% CO2 at 37° C. in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 100 unit/ml penicillin, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin. One day before transfection, 105 cells were plated in 500 μl DMEM containing 10% FBS per well of a 24-well plate. Plasmid and plasmid/oligonucleotide transfection was carried out with Lipofectamine-2000 (Invitrogen). 0.2 μg pEGFP or its derivatives were cotransfected with 0.3 μg pHcRed with or without 10 pmol of 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide or 10 pmol of 2′-deoxyoligonucleotide per well. Fluorescent cell images were recorded on a Zeiss Axiovert 200 inverted fluorescence microscope (Plan-Apochromat 10×/0.45) equipped with Chroma Technology Corp. filter sets 41001 (EGFP) and 41002c (HcRed) and AxioVision 3.1 software.

Example 2 MicroRNA-21 Cleavage of Target RNA

In order to assess the ability of modified oligonucleotides to specifically interfere with miRNA function, we used our previously described mammalian biochemical system developed for assaying RISC activity (Martinez et al., Cell 100, 563-574 (2002)). Zamore and colleagues (Hutvágner et al., Science 297, 2056-2050 (2002)) showed that crude cytoplasmic cell lysates and eIF2C2 immunoprecipitates prepared from these lysates contain let-7 RNPs that specifically cleave let-7-complementary target RNAs. We previously reported that in HeLa cells, numerous miRNAs are expressed including several let-7 miRNA variants (Lagos-Quintana et al., Science 294, 853-858 (2001)).

To assess if other HeLa cell miRNAs are also engaged in RISC like miRNPs we examined the cleavage of a 32P-cap-labelled substrate RNA with a complementary site to the highly expressed miR-21 (Lagos-Quintana et al., Science 294, 853-858 (2001); Mourelatos et al., Genes & Dev. 16, 720-728 (2002)). Sequence-specific target RNA degradation was readily observed and appeared to be approximately 2- to 5-fold more effective than cleavage of a similar let-7 target RNA (FIG. 2, lane 1, and data not shown). We therefore decided to interfere with miR-21 guided target RNA cleavage.

Example 3 Anti MicroRNA-21 2′-O-Methyl Oligoribonucleotide Inhibited MicroRNA-21-Induced Cleavage of Target RNA

A 24-nucleotide 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide that contained a 3′ C7 aminolinker and was complementary to the longest form of the miR-21 was synthesized. The aminolinker was introduced in order to enable post-synthetic conjugation of non-nucleotidic residues such as biotin.

Increasing concentrations of anti miR-21 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide and a control 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide cognate to an EGFP sequence were added to the S100 extract 20 min prior to the addition of 32P-cap-labelled substrate. We determined the concentration of miR-21 in the S100 extract by quantitative Northern blotting to be 50 pM (Lim et al., Genes & Devel. 17, 991-1008 (2003)).

The control EGFP oligonucleotide did not interfere with miR-21 cleavage even at the highest applied concentration (FIG. 2, lanes 2-3). In contrast, the activity of miR-21 was completely blocked at a concentration of only 3 nM (FIG. 2A, lane 5), and a concentration of 0.3 nM showed a substantial 60%-70% reduction of cleavage activity (FIG. 2, lane 6). At a concentration of 0.03 nM, the cleavage activity of miR-21 was not affected when compared to the lysate alone (FIG. 2, lane 1, 7).

Antisense 2′-deoxyoligonucleotides (approximately 90% DNA molecules) at concentrations identical to those of 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides, we could not detect blockage of miR-21 induced cleavage (FIG. 2, lanes 8-10). The 2′-deoxynucleotides used in this study were protected against 3′-exonucleases by the addition of three 2′-O-methyl ribonucleotide residues.

Example 4 Anti MicroRNA-21 2′-O-methyl Oligoribonucleotide Inhibited MicroRNA-21-Induced Cleavage of Target RNA In Vitro

In order to monitor the activity of miR-21 in HeLa cells, we constructed reporter plasmids that express EGFP mRNA that contains in its 3′ UTR a 22-nt sequence complementary to miR-21 (pEGFP-S-21) or in sense orientation to miR-21 (p-EGFP-A-21). Endogenous miRNAs have previously been shown to act like siRNAs by cleaving reporter mRNAs carrying sequences perfectly complementary to miRNA. To monitor transfection efficiency and specific interference with the EGFP indicator plasmids, the far-red fluorescent protein encoding plasmid pHcRed-C1 was cotransfected.

Expression of EGFP was observed in HeLa cells transfected with pEGFP and pEGFP-A-21 (FIG. 3, rows 1 and 2), but not from those transfected with pEGFP-S-21 (FIG. 3, row 3). However, expression of EGFP from pEGFP-S-21 was restored upon cotransfection with anti miR-21 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide (FIG. 3, row 4). Consistent with our above observation, the 2′-deoxy anti miR-21 oligonucleotide showed no effect (FIG. 3, row 5). Similarly, cotransfection of the EGFP 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide in sense orientation with respect to the EGFP mRNA (or antisense to EGFP guide siRNA) had no effect (FIG. 3, row 6).

We have demonstrated that miRNP complexes can be effectively and sequence-specifically inhibited with 2′-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides antisense to the guide strand positioned in the RNA silencing complex.

INCORPORATION OF SEQUENCE LISTING

Incorporated herein by reference in its entirety is the Sequence Listing for the application. The Sequence Listing is disclosed on a computer-readable ASCII text file titled, “sequence_listing.txt”, created on Nov. 13, 2012. The sequence_listing.txt file is 104 kb in size. 

We claim:
 1. An isolated molecule comprising a maximum of fifty moieties, wherein each moiety comprises a base bonded to a backbone unit, said molecule comprising the microRNA molecule identified in SEQ ID NO: 142 or its corresponding anti-micro RNA molecule identified in SEQ ID NO: 448, wherein the molecule is modified for increased nuclease resistance.
 2. The molecule according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the moieties is a modified ribonucleotide moiety.
 3. The molecule according to claim 2, wherein the modified ribonucleotide is substituted at the 2′ position.
 4. The molecule according to claim 3, wherein the substituent at the 2′ position is a C₁ to C₄ alkyl group.
 5. The molecule according to claim 4, wherein the alkyl group is methyl.
 6. The molecule according to claim 4, wherein the alkyl group is allyl.
 7. The molecule according to claim 3, wherein the substituent at the 2′ position is a C₁ to C₄ alkoxy-C₁ to C₄ alkyl group.
 8. The molecule according to claim 7, wherein the C₁ to C₄ alkoxy-C₁ to C₄ alkyl group is methoxyethyl.
 9. The molecule according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the moieties is a 2′-fluororibonucleotide moiety.
 10. The molecule according to claim 2, wherein the modified ribonucleotide has a methylene bridge between the 2′-oxygen atom and the 4′-carbon atom.
 11. The molecule according to claim 1, wherein the molecule comprises at least one modified moiety on the 5′ end.
 12. The molecule according to claim 1, wherein the molecule comprises at least two modified moieties at the 5′ end.
 13. The molecule according to claim 1, wherein the molecule comprises at least one modified moiety on the 3′ end.
 14. The molecule according to claim 1, wherein the molecule comprises at least two modified moieties at the 3′ end.
 15. The molecule according to claim 1, wherein the molecule comprises at least two modified moieties at the 5′ end and at least two modified moieties at the 3′ end.
 16. The molecule according to claim 1, wherein the molecule comprises a nucleotide cap at the 5′ end, the 3′ end or both.
 17. The molecule according to claim 1, wherein the molecule consists of the microRNA molecule identified in SEQ ID NO:
 142. 18. The molecule according to claim 1, wherein the molecule consists of the anti-micro RNA molecule identified in SEQ ID NO:
 448. 19. A vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule according to claim
 1. 